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Summary: An inspirational, wonderful book!
Review: I have a daughter with a very severe genetic syndrome which is why I bought this book. I have read several books in the disablitly genre and therefore believed this book would be very predictible. Boy was I wrong!Little did I know that Martha Beck would speak directly to my heart and make me realize that life is too short to persue goals for the sake of achieving the goal. Rather, we must listen to our hearts and sometimes be willing to take risks. Thank you Martha Beck...with your guidance I was able to take action and free myself from a completely unrewarding career.
Rating:
Summary: Buy 2, because you'll want to give one to a friend.
Review: This is an excellent book -- for both the story it tells and the way it is told -- that every parent should read. The Becks are lucky to have learned Adam's lesson. I just wonder how they couldn't have learned it when their first child was born.
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Summary: A reminder of our masked blessings!
Review: Thank you, thank you, thank you Martha Beck for this marvelous tale of your journey. I have been spinning my wheels agonizing over admission to the graduate school of my dreams and postponing motherhood for the sake of academic pursuits. Martha's book spoke to me on so many levels, but the most inspirational message is that of finding one's calling. She reminded me that my worth can not be measured by a pedigree or climbing a corporate ladder. My value is intrinsic and I already possess the key to my serenity and peace. As a dear friend recently reminded me, "The things you're looking for are right under your nose. Don't miss out on your blessing because it isn't packaged the way you expect." Martha reminded me of this once again. Allow her story to speak to you!
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary book!!
Review: Every woman who's expecting a child should read this book. It shows the magic that you feel when you are expecting a child. Also it lets you think that no matter how healthy your son will be or how sick he can be it is yours, it is part of you and your partner and he deserves the opportunity of life. Beautiful!!!
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Summary: I couldn't put this book down!
Review: Martha Beck has a wonderful writing style, but beyond that she touched me and affirmed what I believe: that disabled children have immense value and can teach us many things. Her stories of help from above were entirely believable to me.
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Summary: A tearful and painful journey of realization and heartache
Review: Wow. I have to admit that I am a woman of the 90s and I have never wanted children because of the selfish overtones that it obviously applies. But after reading this book, it really hit me the beauty and love the literal pains of childbirth can bring. A whole new appreciation of my parents came into the picture. My favorite part was the actual birth itself and the precious details of first seeing their son. Several of the descriptions really hit home with me: the magnet alphabet, having Sesame Street as the babysitter and so on from my own childhood. I definitely recommend this book!
Rating:
Summary: A joy to read and savor
Review: I am about 2/3 of the way through this wonderful book and I already feel it has had an effect on my views of life, on both sides of the "veil." Not only did I become immediately captivated by the story, but Martha Beck's writing style, with its blend of wit and deadly seriousness, was extremely refreshing. I too have a somewhat offbeat sense of humor, so her descriptions of her in-laws, family of origin and the general nuttty pace of life at Harvard all rang completely true to me. And Beck's style of writing, presenting her paranormal experiences and letting the reader decide how to view them, was like the icing on top of a very satisfying cake, the cake being, of course, her relationship with and love for her beautiful son, both before and after his birth. Thank you, Martha!
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Summary: Balm for the soul of every woman
Review: I grew up in the Cambridge neighborhood where Harvard pervades everything. I am also the wife of an academician and the mother of four who was so moved by this book, I cannot recommend it highly enough to every woman, young and old, mother or career-woman or both. Reading Martha Beck is like having a warm conversation with your best friend in the whole world. I an envious of Beck's experiences and wish everyone could live through the learning process she and her family have been lucky enough to have lived. Bravo to a book that enlightens and moves!!!
Rating:
Summary: An exceptional book written with humor and sense.
Review: I loved this book and am making my entire family read it. I too am the mother of 3 children, one with DS (8 years old, born when I was in lawschool); I have 4 academic degrees and an academic background and family. This book spoke to me like nothing else I have come across since my child's birth -- it hit every nerve I had, and it felt so good. Thank you, thank you for writing this book.
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Summary: Thank you seems too weak a phrase
Review: Saying thank you to Martha Beck, her husband, John, and her children - particularly Adam - seems too weak a phrase to express my gratitude. I feel as if this book should be required reading for EVERYone, so important is its message. A handful of books fall under the category of "Life Changing" for me, and this is definitely one of them. I have been reminded of what is truly important in this world, not to judge based on appearances, and to look for and become aware of the magic in every day life. This book is a blessing like no other.
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